Spain strengthens support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Sahara

Wednesday 23 April 2025 - 10:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Spain strengthens support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Sahara

The Fórum Canario Saharaui has expressed strong approval of Spain’s renewed backing for Morocco’s autonomy plan concerning the Sahara. This affirmation follows a significant joint declaration made on April 17 by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Madrid.

The Fórum Canario Saharaui stated that this declaration represents a pivotal moment, reinforcing the association's long-held view that a realistic approach is essential for ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all Sahara inhabitants. They highlighted Bourita’s assertion that continued demands for a self-determination referendum are counterproductive, aiming only to prolong the plight of Sahrawi refugees in the Algerian desert.

This perspective aligns seamlessly with the Forum’s stance, which has persisted for years.

The joint statement by Spain and Morocco reaffirmed that Morocco’s autonomy initiative—first proposed in 2007—remains the most credible and realistic foundation for resolving the ongoing dispute. Spain initially adopted this position in March 2022, recognizing Morocco's proposal as vital for conflict resolution.

Both ministers emphasized the positive trajectory of their bilateral relations, noting significant advancements in migration cooperation, economic exchanges, and security collaboration. Trade figures between Spain and Morocco reached nearly €23 billion in 2024, marking a 7% increase from the previous year.

The Canary Saharan Forum dismissed claims that Spain’s support signifies a sudden policy shift. They asserted that international endorsement of the Moroccan autonomy plan has gained substantial momentum, with 22 EU nations reaffirming their commitment, alongside support from the United States and France.

Recently, the Forum condemned media campaigns by individuals allegedly seeking to monitor human rights in Sahara. They characterized these efforts as attempts to distort the reality of the situation, aimed at gaining public notoriety while favoring the Polisario Front.

Bourita’s recent diplomatic tour, covering the United States, France, Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Estonia, and Slovenia, secured critical international backing for Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only viable solution to the regional dispute. The Forum urged political figures, particularly in Spain, to prioritize pragmatism over ideological biases for the benefit of the Sahrawi population. They maintain that the autonomy proposal under Moroccan sovereignty would empower Sahrawis to manage their own affairs within a framework of legal security and regional stability.